Updates Galore

One would think that I've lost the spark and the desire to pursue this crazy-ass dream of mine since I don't update this page much anymore. Right? No, the truth is, I've been working on other things and have kind of moved the 'logging' of my trials and tribulations to the back burner. It's only right, right? I mean...it's not like I've shut down operations and I'm just going to get in line with all of the people who've given up much too early in the game.

Sorry, friends. That's not me.

Oldest news first - Remember (from last post) how I was going to send that local Minnesota agent my manuscript to read? Well, I did that just as I indicated and I began the waiting process. And waited... And waited some more. After around a month, I hadn't heard from her. Since I didn't want to burn a bridge or anger her before she'd even had a chance to experience my book, I thought about what I should do. Send her a letter? A quick e-mail? Pray? I decided that I would send her a nice, short e-mail to make sure she received my manuscript. I asked someone here at work if that was kosher, and she suggested I wait until 5.5.03 (Cinco De Mayo) to send it out. Seemed like a good enough plan to me. That way, I can mention the holiday and all that. To be smart, I set myself a reminder in Microsoft Outlook and went back to my usual business. On Cinco De Mayo Monday, there was an e-mail waiting in my box. It said:

Hello, Kingsley,
I hope you haven't been sitting by the phone all this time!! So sorry I've not been in touch sooner. Having a family crisis plus just plain busy. I received your mss. but, honestly, haven't read word one. Unfortunately, earning a living took precedence. I do promise to read it and response and will do my best to get to it next couple of weeks.

Literary Agent

PS Thanks so very much for not bugging me.

Two minutes later, my Outlook reminded me that I needed to send a message to the agent. I patted myself on the back and wrote her a simple reply that said something to the effect of 'No worries. I'm not going anywhere. I hope your crisis has worked itself out and happy Cinco De Mayo. Would that constitute bugging her? I haven't written or heard from her since.

Impatient - So another month + has gone by and I've pretty much stopped sending stuff out cold to publishers and agents. In my head, I feel like it would be rude to do that to an agent, even if she's told me that she's full-up on clients. So, I did what any eager new fledgling writer would do, I contacted my approachable author friend, Brian Selznick. I wrote to him and asked him what I should do in my current situation, detailing the info in regards to the Minnesota agent. He said it was typical and that agents take FOREVER to get back to you. I mentioned that if he had anyone else that might take an interest in my story, I'd be grateful for their information as well. He gave me two names. One of which, I've sent stuff to TWICE and I've gotten the form rejection both times. That's right friends, I'm talking about:

Barry Goldblatt.

I've had a feeling about this guy, ever since reading his write-up in the Children's Author Guide. I think I even told myself a few times: 'This is the agent for me.' Of course, when I get the reject slips from him, my vision of it is dashed apart. Well, Barry. It seems our paths have crossed again.

Brian gave me his e-mail address and like a champ I e-mailed him. This morning, I got this response:

Dear Mr. Kingsley:

I'd be happy to take a look at your manuscript. Just send it, along with a SASE, and mark the outside of the envelope "Requested Materials" so it doesn't end up in my usual slushpile.

Sincerely,

Barry Goldblatt

Just like that, friends. I'm sending the package out to Barry tomorrow. Hope he likes kick-ass kids stories.

Also, along with that, Brian gave me an address for an agent at the William Morris Agency in New York. I fired a letter of to him/her (?) and we'll see what kind of response I get.

Edit, Edit, Edit, Edit Machine... - Yes I should be much further along than I am, but I've passed the 75 page point yesterday in the editing of my 2nd book in the series. I don't know what came over me, but I'm kicking out page after page of fresh edits and I'm hoping to have the 2nd draft done in another week or so. It's ambitious, but it could happen. After that, I transpose my edits and tweak a bit more and my 3rd draft is ready for external consumption. I think part of my added pressure to get it done is because I know I've got a good handful of folks out there who want to read my main characters continuing adventures. That...and Book Three is already nipping at my feet.

So...things are happening 'round here. Just when you thought I gave up. Ciao for now, kids.